Walking in the Light – Part 14 Truth for a New Year – 2 & 3 John Crosspoint – Dave Spooner – Dec. 29th, 2024 Intro: For our last sermon…
This Christmas season, we’re exploring the opening lines of Matthew’s Gospel, where he begins the story of Jesus with a genealogy—a list of names that might seem tedious at first glance but holds profound meaning.
Matthew carefully traces Jesus’ lineage back to Abraham and David, reminding us that Jesus fulfills God’s promises of an eternal kingdom and a blessing for all nations. Yet, what’s truly remarkable is the inclusion of five women in this genealogy: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary. Each of these women had unique stories marked by being disregarded, entrapped, destitute, victimized, or simply humble.
Why does God highlight these individuals? To show us that His family is not built on earthly status, power, or perfection but on His grace. Through this genealogy, we see that God intentionally chooses the broken, the overlooked, and the ordinary to accomplish His extraordinary purposes.
This message of hope is for all of us. No matter where you’ve been or what you’ve faced, God invites you into His family through Jesus Christ, who came to redeem and restore. Join us as we celebrate the beauty of God’s grace revealed in the most unexpected places.
Heather Dellameter joins us from Kijani Farm, bringing with her an inspiring update that promises to enrich our understanding and connection to our shared mission.
This Christmas season, we’re exploring the opening lines of Matthew’s Gospel, where he begins the story of Jesus with a genealogy—a list of names that might seem tedious at first glance but holds profound meaning.
Matthew carefully traces Jesus’ lineage back to Abraham and David, reminding us that Jesus fulfills God’s promises of an eternal kingdom and a blessing for all nations. Yet, what’s truly remarkable is the inclusion of five women in this genealogy: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary. Each of these women had unique stories marked by being disregarded, entrapped, destitute, victimized, or simply humble.
Why does God highlight these individuals? To show us that His family is not built on earthly status, power, or perfection but on His grace. Through this genealogy, we see that God intentionally chooses the broken, the overlooked, and the ordinary to accomplish His extraordinary purposes.
This message of hope is for all of us. No matter where you’ve been or what you’ve faced, God invites you into His family through Jesus Christ, who came to redeem and restore. Join us as we celebrate the beauty of God’s grace revealed in the most unexpected places.
Pastor John closes his letter pointing his dear children to his purpose for writing: that they may know that they have eternal life. He desires that they would live lives that reflect confidence in prayer, confidence in relationships and confidence in a secure future because they are confident in the One who IS eternal life. By knowing that we are in Him we too can walk in truth and confidence.
In 1 John 5:5-12, the apostle John highlights the powerful testimony about Jesus, confirmed by the Spirit, the water, and the blood, pointing to Him as the Son of God and the source of eternal life. John urges us to accept this divine witness as greater than any human testimony, grounding our faith in God’s own declaration about His Son. As believers, we are called to live confidently, assured that through Jesus, we hold the gift of eternal life.
In 1 John 4:13-5:4 we find assurance that God's Spirit lives within us, affirming His love and our relationship with Him. This passage calls us into a life defined by His love—a love so powerful that it drives out fear, filling us with confidence before God. John explains that, as believers, we are born of God and therefore equipped to overcome the world, not through our strength but through faith in Christ.
In a world often marked by self-interest and division, 1 John 4:7-12 calls us back to the foundation of our faith: love. John reminds us that love isn’t just something we do; it’s who God is. When we love one another, we reflect the very heart of God, who demonstrated the ultimate act of love by sending His Son for us. This love isn’t a response to our worthiness but flows from God’s own character and grace. We are called to embrace and express this love, making God’s presence visible in our lives.
In a world full of conflicting voices and spiritual claims, how can we know what is true and what is false? In 1 John 4:1-6, the Apostle John urges believers to “test the spirits” and discern what is truly from God. Learn how to navigate spiritual challenges with confidence, knowing that the One in us is greater than the One in the world.
In 1 John 3:19-24, we find a powerful message of assurance and confidence in our relationship with God that puts our hearts at rest. This passage reminds us that even when our hearts condemn us, God is greater, and He knows us fully. Our feelings of inadequacy or guilt don’t define us—God’s truth does. When we live in obedience to His command to believe in Jesus and love one another, we experience the confidence that comes from being in God’s presence. As we abide in Him, we can approach Him with boldness, knowing that His Spirit is at work within us and that we are His.